“I Can Kind Of Relate To Salinger” - Billy Joel Explains Why He Waited Decades To Release New Music

Billy Joel gives Stephen Colbert a peek behind the curtain at his creative process and shares what motivated him to release his first new single in 30 years, “Turn The Lights Back On.” Stick around for more with Billy Joel and tune in to watch the 100th show of his Madison Square Garden residency when it airs on CBS on April 14th.
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Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.

[@rdaltry777]

When I first heard "Turn the Lights Back On" I said, oh, cool, it's Billy Joel being Billy Joel and not trying to reinvent himself. Then time went by and I realized that this song had aged like a fine wine (but in a couple of weeks, not decades). It is hard for me to comprehend how this song resonates so well. Billy, this is one of your best. Thank you.

[@TheMrJourneyer]

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant for his walk-in. Great pick!

[@actownsend7288]

Beautiful tune!!!!

[@JeffreyGoddin]

When Colbert challenged the audience to name a Joel tune and he'd sing it (in the meanwhile segment) this was the song I thought of, great some, but also the title doesn't appear in the chorus, so I figured if he could recall the "bottle of red, bottle of white..." THEN I could respect the depth of Colbert's appreciation for Joel. So yeah, great to hear the band throw it out.

[@77barrymac]

That WAS an interesting choice. Not one of his big hit singles, but instead a somewhat famous album cut.

[@callmechia]

And the band is so fabulous, I must’ve watched that intro six times!!

[@beaudwayful]

I was born in 69. I've grown up and spend my life listening to Billy Joel. Love that he's still making music.

[@wncwaterfalls]

Well I was born in 49, a Cold War kid in McCarthy time.

[@pirobot668beta]

OK, 1956 to split the difference...more or less@@wncwaterfalls

[@littlejoe9381]

‘68. Same story. Love me some Billy Joel. So many great songs…

[@alexaales7937]

@@littlejoe9381 68er as well, same story as well!

[@privatepenguin3137]

I would pay to hear Billy just talk and tell stories. He is a great interview. His interview with Howard Stern a few days ago was incredible.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

When he's allowed to talk, he's wonderful lol. This was getting on my nerves.

[@ReggieWhite15]

I can understand why Christie and other women loved this guy. So talented and charming, great story teller that explains his brilliant songs. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@anakeveney7186]

I love the intro for “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant.” Good going, guys!

[@Islandgirl4ever2]

Billy Joel, The Man, the Legend.. decades of fantastic music! Thank you!

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would take a quick listen to my low-fi acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classics HONESTY, ALLENTOWN, and VIENNA on my YT in tribute to the master of lyricism & composition. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace & stay safe.

[@EvolutionWendy]

I do love the rapport that Stephen Colbert has with , and obviously Billy Joel is amused by Stephen Colbert's puppy dog approach.

[@tamaramartinez-anderson5328]

Transports me back to 1984 and ditching classes senior year to get tickets to Billy Joel at the Salt Palace in SLC. Loved loved loved the music and words then and now.

[@dlite6999]

Born in 68 the first time I heard billy Joel I was 13 and didn't know who he was and my friends mom took us to see him in a small venue and I fell in LOVE WITH MUSIC ❤

[@BrandonIslander]

I saw Billy in 2019 while i was taking my sons trick or treating in Huntington Ny on Main street. I saw this guy with a young girl next to me. He had a hat on, very inconspicuous. I soon realized who he was and i didnt want to bother him and his family. All i did was say "Hi hows it going?" And he replied with a smile " im doing good how are you?" He seemed very comfortable being out with everyone, a few ppl did ask to take a picture with him, which he gladly did. I wouldn't say im a big Billy Joel fan, but now hearing his new release, i find it amazing btw, now i am going back and enjoying his music more than ever. He definitely has a lot of music left in him. Hes obviously getting much older and i feel like we need more from him before he cant perform anymore

[@carlywarly4853]

Love his music, love his humour, bloody love the guy!🎵❤️

[@yubantwo2086]

The Grammy clip revealed that Joel's voice is in top form. That's too fantastic especially considering how long he's been performing, how many shows he performs a year every year, and his age. How devastating that his fascinating story answering Stephen's question regarding his evolution in producing new music was cut off. It shows that the show's format takes precedence over in the moment magic. If Joel would write a book (especially about his life in the public eye), it would fly off the shelves.

[@ravenwolf7128]

Agreed. I really wanted to hear more about his story of what inspired him to release new music.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Agreed on his voice.

[@ncooty]

@@ravenwolf7128: There's a longer clip on Howard Stern's KZbin channel in which you can hear the full story.

[@yubantwo2086]

@@ravenwolf7128 A few days later, and it's still bothering me that they cut him off. They make time for the silly and ridiculous yet found something profound extraneous.

[@yubantwo2086]

​@@ncootythank you for sharing this!

[@BB--13118]

For a much better interview, check out Billy's recent 2 hr interview with Howard Stern. I know there are clips on You Tube but the whole interview may only be on the Sirius app right now. I'm not a real fan of Stern, but he is definitely a huge fan and a friend of Billy's and it was a very good interview.

[@privatepenguin3137]

That interview was top shelf! One thing I DO enjoy about Stern is his great interviewing....especially his most recent ones with Billy, Bruce, and Keith.

[@lisavizza1648]

Howard is a great interviewer ... especially this one with Billy Joel. Two Long Island guys shooting the shit. Colbert talks too much.

[@catherinealexander6255]

@@lisavizza1648He definitely interrupts too much, but I think that’s because it’s late night TV. They have to break things into pieces. Irritating.

[@wattetiparoch]

Wow BJ s voice has not changed a bit Amazing

[@krisfrederick5001]

It always amazes me how Billy and Elton are disarmingly charming, then something comes out of their mouth you never expect.

[@bryani2449]

I love Billy Joel's personality. The whole Grammy's thing with sting awesome.

[@chuvolta]

I heard the song on the radio today and thought it was a song from the 70s...thats how good his voice still is

[@DawnDavidson]

Agreed! He’s still got it!

[@emily-crawford-soprano9181]

God I want to hear his symphonic work so bad

[@dceplay]

Check out his classical 2000 or so album, Fantasies & Delusions.

[@Noeau]

Billy Joel, Icon!!! The studio audience agreed. Sorely missed and jonesed for his new music for so long. Hearing his voice, he still sounds great.

[@rikkiechambers4959]

Billy and his wife are big fans of my favorite comedian Christopher Titus .. this gives me much respect for them both , also his reoccurring theme is truly what makes him an amazing artist , it’s about the music . He has sung the soundtrack to a bunch of our lives , great interview Stephen ❤

[@user-zj1ft5tx5f]

Just heard the song and I really love it. It is "so Billy Joel." He is just an incredibly talented person with a great sense of humor. He is so good on the talk shows! LOVE YOU ALWAYS, BILLY.

[@alexaales7937]

i was 12 when my much older brother introduced me to him, gave me all his vinyls, made a tape with all my favorites. as soon as CDs came about i bought every single album. my favorite to this day is his debut album 'Cold Spring Harbor' closely followed by 'The nylon curtain'. i will forever be grateful for the comfort he gave to me with his music!

[@charlie-obrien]

Billy is right of course, music isn't about a contest or a competition. It's exactly the opposite and naturally brings us all together. Just like his songs and albums have done all these years. I'm so glad to see Billy Joel recording and releasing his music again!

[@jimsykes6843]

Wha?? I wanna hear the story about the guy who convinced him to write the song... C'mon editors, what happened?

[@charlie-obrien]

Probably that since he didn't drop a big name they cut it, because you know how KZbin has a strict "nothing over 7 minutes" .rule

[@padraigohuard1961]

The worst edit ever? Can we hear the uncut version anywhere?

[@angelikalindenau943]

Go find the interview with Howard Stern. Ticks every box

[@ericjohnson6665]

In addition to Billy's fabulous music, I saw him in concert a few decades ago, and the stage was set up so he could play to the various areas of the stadium, first in front, then a raised area in the back where a piano would rise up and he would race up to it and continue the song. One of the most phenomenal concerts I ever attended!

[@jujubees711]

Amazing that fan could get Billy to write music again. Based on other interviews I saw Billy on recently, I thought of Salinger too. What a humble grounded man. Wonderful that he hates the competition and promotional aspect of the music industry. Because he's a real musician. His first love is music. Not the fame.

[@classiclife7204]

If you're curious about the guy Joel is working with and how the song was written (Colbert clearly wasn't), check out the Howard Stern interview

[@revwillyg6450]

True, but Stern is sooo annoying

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

The guy's name is Wexler. I wish people would credit him. This is not so much a song that Billy wrote as the product of a great collaboration. That's a good thing. I believe there were multiple people credited as co writers.

[@foto21]

Billy Joel is not the only musician who is real. Musicians get into show biz for the music, and the ones that don't make it are the ones not doing it for the music. Sometimes the ones that start out honest get corrupted and learn the lesson of how that works, but Billy Joel is the real deal. People don't understand why he doesn't care for the stardom, it's not really about the fans, though it can be, it's more about the ahole marketing people that work for the labels and the press. Musicians become musicians to not become people like that, and then they are forced to interact with them, so THAT is why the star aspect is tiring.

[@tcencore]

I attended a talk from David Rosenthal (Billy's keyboardist) earlier this week. He played "The Longest Time" as a sonata. It was beautiful. I would love to hear a whole album of that.

[@joannejohnson7006]

What luck to see the innovators, those that spoke for the boomers and our various flavors of music we we SO BLESSED to hear first run! Thank you piano man 💌

[@tammyharrison6734]

Love Billy Joel - so glad he’s back - gone so long

[@raepettymathre]

I love Billie Joel. my fav album is the Bridge ! the two songs that have become my anthems. are "A matter of trust " and Code of silence ! loved his new song and can't wait to get them ! God Bless you Billie !!

[@elizabethobrien5702]

OMG 😳 I freaking grew up listening to Billy Joel!! Just absolutely ❤ his music 100%😊

[@theoutspokenhumanist]

So good to hear him back and what a song. "The cold settles in, .. It's been a long win, .. ter of indifference" 😁 love it. True talent needs no gimmicks, no sexy dancing or fancy stage shows.

[@redadamearth]

Freddy Wexler wrote it. Music, lyrics, title - everything, by Joel's own admission in a recent interview with Wexler. It's not Joel's song. He just sings it.

[@weirdunclebob]

I'd love to see footage of Billy and Sting (or any artists!) making faces at the Grammy's!

[@fedebjalways]

I believe Stephen has spoken more than Billy in this video. Don’t know if it was a terrible edit or if Stephen is turning into Jimmy Fallon.

[@GenXMystic]

My first record album was 52nd Street. I knew the lyrics to every song on that, The Stranger and Glass Houses. Got to see him live on The Bridge tour. Legend. Hope he comes out with more new songs.

[@cmd6939]

Either that was an AWFUL edit or a way off-character move by Stephen. After Billy is trying to talk about the guy he met "He knew what he was talking about..." 2:32 And boom cut-off. I think I don't stand alone in wanting to hear more right then and there. I am a huge fan of both of these guys. Seen Billy 8 times, 9 soon. That just struck me as an odd cut-off.

[@JasOGrowney]

I'm guessing he let Billy tell the whole story, cut for time.

[@bkzone8]

I get it. I would have liked to hear the whole story, too...

[@viperion_nz]

Yeah such an obvious cut and one that really cuts off the important part of the story! Do better Late Show!

[@cmd6939]

@@JasOGrowneyThat's gotta be it. Interrupting Bill Joel in the boundaries of New York would be sacrilegious.

[@shadygrove]

Super bad cut!

[@steveconn]

Love Billy. 1983-7 the sweet spot of so many hits. Glad he's producing again!

[@RussellGreerOfficial]

That’s before “We Didn’t Set the Fire”, though.

[@littlefeather1000]

Dear Stephen Colbert, thank you for this, I loved watching so very much!!!

[@pmclaughlin4111]

If there is a long form of this interview...please please please post it

[@CopingwithGrattitude]

It seems like Colbert was cutting him off-not his usual form. I would’ve liked to hear more from Billy although Colbert is hilarious.

[@thomasgriffiths6758]

Vienna waits for you.

[@lashendawest7509]

We love stephen colbert and billy joel

[@thefool2007]

Billy is one the greatest musicians and entertainers in human history.

[@jeanmarieboucherit7376]

I don.t think So. Measure.

[@Hooves1]

Love u billy

[@actownsend7288]

I’m the same way Billy is with awards shows. I’m happy for those who win it but I’m pissesd for those for those lose.

[@kikiperaza4707]

I heard him for the first time with Glass Houses, 1981, he's been my musical idol since!

[@bubabubu6088]

just post the whole episode. nobody buys them on dvd or such, so why hold it back.

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

breaking it up means more CLICKS more AD views...it's all about the CLICKS

[@elizabethroth5350]

I'm looking forward to seeing Billy for the5th time on Saturday Feb 24 in Tampa!

[@MrDan11422]

I never realized either how tall Stephen is or how short Billy is? I love Billy's new song. Very beautiful.

[@froggyblocks]

Right? You always see him behind the piano, he is only 1.66cm

[@RobertCeisler]

1.66 centimeters. Hahahaha. @@froggyblocks

[@freya8133]

You mean 166 cm ​@@froggyblocks

[@freya8133]

According to Google Stephen is 5'11" and Billy is 5'5".

[@edfinkel3398]

@@freya8133Yeah, Stephen's tall but not that tall. Billy, I think, has shrunk in the past 40 years.

[@cheknfaks]

I love Billy Joel, I am currently working on learning the vocals and sax solos from his older tracks.

[@mandcbruce]

Love watching Mark Rivera do his thing on sax!

[@JG-vq6rd]

Billy's knees look like they must be shot. I had flashbacks to Artie Johnson's old man shuffle from laugh in. Or maybe Tim Conway's old man shuffle in the Carol Burnett show.

[@scrouch8]

He still has the voice. ❤

[@andrewhatez7955]

"Honesty," by Billy Joel is in the top 5 songs I have ever heard during the course of my life.

[@markwoodstock1112]

This Colbert guys should listen to how Howard stern does interviews. Let the legend finish his sentences.

[@StephenLewisful]

He actually debuted the song on Feb 1st, my birthday since 1968. Thank You Billy, that was so awesome.

[@topspotstables]

Thank you for pointing out your new favorite Stephen…. It is amazing 😢😢❤❤❤

[@dandellapaolera8169]

Ive loced billy joels music since i was a kid. This is the happiest ive ever seen him.

[@chels01e]

Oh my , Billy Joel And Sting are my 2 fav musicians song writers ever! So cool

[@donnathompson8641]

I love the song so much it's one of his best song leave the light on Billy Joel 😊

[@cherwynambuter7873]

Very few people know of his classical compositions for piano. I have the collection. Many of them are lovely! My favorite among them is the waltz.

[@Marguerite-wu3nw]

Billy Joel has my utmost respect!!!!!!

[@nene1964]

How awesome i love this for billy joel!

[@Relaxlifeisshort2]

Billy Joel really is an american treasure.

[@transgreaser]

I’ve always wanted to see him! ❤

[@beth1245]

Oh how I'd love to hear his instrumental compositions!

[@dceplay]

Check out his classical 2000 or so album, Fantasies & Delusions.

[@michaelvaladez3012]

I bet Billy got sick and tired of people asking him why he stopped writing for 30yrs.I'de be like "Uh,I Because I Felt Like It!" Lol 😂 C'mon people give Billy a break he wanted to take a 30yr.hiatus cause he had his reasons but atleast he decided to come back to the spotlight and relive his old self again while he still can. Billy is a true Rock Legend and his music is still Rock and Roll to me! 👏

[@TerryDanielVoiceoverTutorials]

What a legend! I love the new song too!

[@cleverpete1]

Love him

[@lyndaspangler9654]

Agreed Stephen butted in. Once again I'm KZbin scrolling too much to find the Colbert show "pieces" which is not appreciated. Also, Stephen, what greater interviews you could conduct IF you weren't leaving the show for obnoxious ads every other minute. In the meantime, my soul is sooooo grateful for this interview. To really hear Joel, I need to find a full interview with focus on him, not commercials. Thank you Billy Joel, for eternity. And you, Colbert of commercials. And so many other wondrous things. Billy Joel saves my soul. So do you, Stephen Colbert, in the fray of current INSANITIES since COVID, and before. But Billy Joel? Flows in my blood cells fulfilled by his shared gifts of his talent. Life, is AWESOME. ✌🏽🙏🏽🖖🏽🐾💕😍🥰

[@craigpardy6204]

What a mixed message of a comment..

[@cmd6939]

I think Rick James said it best....@@craigpardy6204

[@ChrisSmith-5655]

Stephen is making a comedy show, he has to

[@Rhythmattica]

Me and me Mate , drove Billy and his Crew.... His close az crew around for 2 weeks when in Sydney..... Obviously quite a while back... And ive got to say, out of all the "Artists" & OS "Crews" One of the best times.... Yep, Ive been involved with many an International.. But not many, are as down to earth (or as New York) as Billy.

[@strubelig]

I attended this taping and can confirm it actually happened.

[@christiansebastianlauritse2404]

In the clip from the Grammies, if you had turned off the screen and told me that was Elton John debuting a new song, I would 100% believed you.

[@edwardsah3]

Could you just let him talk? Stephen interrupted so many comments that were going in an interesting direction to get a laugh. Maybe Terry Gross could do the interview?

[@49niners100]

Years ago I met Billy at a restaurant in Huntington LI. "Canterbury Ales". Want was funny about it was, the friend I was with was the son of the Hicksville HS principal that kicked Billy out of the school for being a hoodlum. Principal Russ. Billy got a kick out of it. His bass player Doug was also there. We partied behind the restaurant by the dumpster. I also saw him in San Francisco getting out of a cab.

[@Palidine4M0O]

Billy giving off that George Carlin energy

[@user-qp9so2zo1z]

He and jim cramer are becoming one

[@L8rCloud]

I just checked iTunes to see if he was releasing a new album - I’ll have to wait

[@kt9166]

Billy looks like Jonathan Banks! In a good way! WOW!🥰🥰🥰

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

I'm really enjoying the "ask a question, get half an answer, and edit/cut to a new question, get a quarter of an answer, and interrupt, and then edit to a new conversation" style Colbert seems to go for here. Just fantastic.

[@mojo500100]

Now Joel’s the rare celeb you could feel comfortable having beer with and talking music.

[@Loveinthe808]

He's a Long Island boy. You hear it in the way he speaks. He lived 5 blocks away from me. We all were blue collar folks..He never forgot his roots.

[@robstimson4234]

The Sting story was priceless.

[@grumpybear42]

👋😃 Hi Billy!!! ❤

[@totalbliss1]

Steven needs to dial down on his coffee and let his interviewees talk.

[@ravenwolf7128]

I really wanted to hear more about his story of what inspired him to release new music, but Stephen cut him off.

[@user-qm8bc4bu1t]

Uptown girl 🎶

[@ms.tep_]

Hilarious! We love you Billy!

[@cherylgrec9701]

Great show. Love the interaction between them.

[@NewYork7914]

Legend 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@charleneinman3625]

Us catholic schools kids just loved it when “ Only the good die young” came out! Our parents flipped ! lol

[@JosefFerguson]

Billy Joel is an American treasure. If he's not careful, Nic Cage is going to kidnap him to look for a map tattooed on his back or something.

[@paulaswanson13]

BILLY🥰🥰🥰

[@derekadams5064]

He's the reason I became a musician

[@redadamearth]

I just wish he'd actually written the song. By his own admission in a recent radio interview, Freddy Wexler wrote it - music, lyrics, title - all of it - along with 2 other writers. Wexler brought Joel the song, 100% complete - and Joel said, "it sounded like something I could have written" - and he just changed a couple of the lines. From THIS interview, however, his publicists apparently told him to stop admitting that Wexler wrote it. There's just a really dishonest marketing push, here. All they had to say is that it's a song that Joel sings, but instead they made everybody think he was writing songs again, which he isn't, sadly.

[@superwesman]

@0:31 Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Billy Joel

[@lyxandrast0ttr0n1x8]

He’s such a real guy

[@Linda-ny4ed]

This segment with Stephen Colbert and Billy Joel was more than Stupendous! When we think of Billy Joel, we think Genius! It was great to see Liberachi years ago in the 60s, but with his Flamboyant. odd nature, Billy Joel was A breath of fresh air to all of us straight. We want to say normal people but Straight people; you know? You can understand Joel's lyrics. Unlike Elton John, it's all mixed up and it doesn't make sense. But it was great to see him again. Hall & Oates is having such a problem with their "whose on first " the duo is forgetting their great music & is it going to be 30 years when we see & hear them again. GOD GAVE THESE MEN GIFTS OF TALENT GENIUS ^ THE PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR!!!

[@dannyburleigh1]

I'll take a J.D. Salinger Sandwich please!